Clayton Voters Concerned over Shaw Park Renovation

Skaters Molly Gibbs and Joe Wunderlich skate alone at Steinberg Skating Rink in St. Louis on February 2, 2012. Unseasonably warm temperatures turned the ice into puddles. Today's high temperatures of 65 degrees ties the all time record. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Photo: UPI/Bill Greenblatt

CLAYTON, Mo. (KMOX) – Voters in Clayton say they’ve got some serious concerns about a $12 million ballot proposal coming up for a vote in April.

The ballot initiative would renovate the old Shaw Park ice rink, adding a multi-use green space for sports like soccer and lacrosse that would convert into an ice rink in the winter.

The space could be used year-round. The city insists that this will not only increase the number of people who use the space, but also allow the city to bring in some money by easily renting out the green space to local youth sports clubs.

But still, not everyone is sold.

“I live on the park, and I don’t want to see a big structure,” one resident said. “I don’t want the noise.”

Another resident said they aren’t being given enough information about how the money will be used. Many others were concerned that the plan just wasn’t fleshed out enough.

This proposal and three others will be on the ballot in Clayton in April. There are two measures that would increase the sales tax by a quarter of a percent each, and a $15 million bond proposal for roads.